Cellular type carton



Oct. 2; 1962 J. VESAK CELLULAR TYPE CARTON 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 26, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 26, 1961 Oct. 2, 1962 J. VESAK CELLULAR TYPE CARTON 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 26, 1961 Oct. 2, 1962 J. VESAK CELLULAR TYPE CARTON Filed Jan 26, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 0 M 2 l1! I||||||||| F1 3 A 4 .m 0 7 4 4 m a 3 3 Q r 1 Y. I J. i r 8 5 L 5 6 m a 1 2 0 s 4 5 4x |1l [I O B H 3 M w 3 I 8 4 5 T a 7 4 1 II lIIIII United States Patent Ofitice 3,056,537. Patented Oct. 2, 1962 3,056,537 CELLULAR TYPE CARTON Joseph Vesalr, Richmond, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Unlpah *Cartons Ltd Vancouver, British Qoiurnbia, Canada Filed Ian. 26, 1961, Ser. No. 85,tl48 13 Claims. {(Jl. 229-115) This invention relates to cartons and more particularly to the type of carton incorporating an interior assembly of mutually transverse partitions dividing the interior of the carton into a plurality of article receiving compartments.

Many proposals have been previously made for forming such an interior assembly so as to provide a central longitudinal partition having integral portions bent outwardly therefrom and secured to an adjacent side wall of the carton to form a plurality of transverse partitions. However, such arrangements have left open areas in the longitudinal partition when the transverse partitions have been bent outwardly. Accordingly, the possibility has existed, when the carton has been mishandled, for portions of articles in one row of compartments to contact, through the open areas, portions of articles in the adjacent row of compartments. Such contact is not advantageous when considering the transportation of fragile articles such as glass bottles.

Moreover, when considering such transverse partitions, it has not always been possible to arrange for the lower edges thereof to abut the bottom of the carton and thus the open areas existing between the bottom of the carton and the lower edge of each transverse partition have presented the same disadvantage as noted above in connection with the open areas in the longitudinal partition, with the exception that the possible contact exists between articles in adjacent compartments of the same row.

Accordingly, it is the object of this invention to overcome the above disadvantages by providing a novel form of cellular structure for forming an interior assembly of mutually transverse partitions within a carton.

Accordingly, this invention relates to a carton including a cellular structure arranged to divide said carton into a plurality of article receiving compartments, said cellular structure comprising, a unitary member formed from a pair of webs of resilient material, a plurality of parallel strips of resilient material secured to and located between said webs, each of said strips extending between the marginal side edges of each of said webs, and an incision in a selected web and in said strips, said incision extending along the central longitudinal axis of said selected web from one end thereof to the other end to divide said selected web into a pair of panel members and to divide said strips into two identical sets of strips, the remaining web, upon folding thereof along its central longitudinal axis, forming a central longitudinal partition constituted by a pair of parallel vertical side members integrally connected together along a common upper edge, each of said panel members being parallel with an associated vertical side member and spaced therefrom by means of a said set of strips which extend at right angles thereto to form a plurality of transverse partitions.

The invention is illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded view of the components adapted to provide one form of cellular structure;

FIGURES 2 and 3 show the components of FIGURE 1 in various stages of forming and assembling the cellu lar structure;

FIGURE 4 is a flat lay-out of the blank for forming carton casing;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a preferred form of cellular structure partly opened up, and incorporating an extensible handle member shown in a first retracted position;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5, but with the cellular structure completely opened up and with the handle shown in a second operative position;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through an end of an alternative form of cellular structure to that shown in FIGURES 5 and 6;

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of the carton with the top open, and showing the cellular structure;

FIGURE 9 is a plan View of the carton moved partly from its flattened or shipping condition;

FIGURE 10 is a vertical section taken on the line lit-4d of FIGURE 8, but with the carton closed, and showing the handle in its first retracted position;

FIGURE 11 is a view similar to FIGURE 10, but showing the handle in a second operative position;

FIGURE 12 is a vertical section taken on the line 12-42 of FIGURE 10; and

FIGURE 13 is a vertical section taken on the line Iii-d3 of FIGURE 11.

Referring to FIGURE 1, one form of cellular structure is initially made up by positioning and securing, preferably by pressure sensitive adhesive, a plurality of separate and distinct strip members 40! between separate and distinct upper and lower webs 390, SM. Each of the strip members 460 is provided with a hingeable end tab 491 hingediy and integrally joined thereto along a score line :02 and a hingeabie end tab 463 hingedly and integrally joined thereto along a score line .404.

As will be seen from FIGURE 1, the strip members 4% extend between the marginal side edges of each of said webs 360, 301 with the end tabs 401 being bent along the score lines 402 and secured to the lower webs 3% Whilst the end tabs 403 are bent along the score lines 404 and are secured to the upper web 3%. Accordingly, after the strip members 400 and webs 3%, 301 have been placed in position, and pressure applied to bring about adhesion between the components, a cellular structure is formed consisting of five transverse strip members extending between the pair of webs. Obviously, the number of strip members employed is optional depending upon the required number of transverse partitions and compartments.

Thereafter, the upper or selected web 309 and the strip members 4% secured thereto are severed, by means of a first incision (as indicated by the broken line 500 in FIGURE 1), along the central longitudinal axis of the former from end to end thereof, so as to divide said selected web 390 into a pair of planar panel members 50, 51 and to divide the strip members 400 into two identical sets. However, although the end tab 4% of each strip member 400 and the main body of the latter is severed, the incision stops short of the lower end tabs 401 as well as the lower or remaining web 301.

The structure is then folded along the central longitudinal axis of the lower web 301 as is shown in FIG- URE 2 until it reaches the position shown in FIGURE 3 where, as will be seen, the pair of folded halves of the lower web 301 are in parallel adjacent relationship with one another to form a pair of central longitudinal partitions 34 constituted by a pair of parallel vertical panel members 36 and 37 integrally connected together along a common upper edge 38 formed by the fold in the material of the lower web 301. As will also be seen from FIGURE 3, due to the end tabs 401 secured to the lower web 301 being uncut, said end tabs 401 fold over the common upper edge 38.

From reference to FIGURE 3, it will also be seen that the pair of parallel planar side panel members 50, 51 of the upper web form a pair of outer longitudinal partitions, of uniform thickness throughout their length, which are spaced from the associated central longitudinal partitions 34 by means of the divided strip members 41M) which thus form a pair of rows of discrete transverse partitions 42, 43 which, with the pair of central longitudinal partitions 34 and the pair of outer longitudinal partitions t), 51 form a plurality of article receiving compartments 45, 46 arranged in two parallel adjacent longitudinal rows. According to the particular needs, the cellular structure 30 can be a drop-fit into a preformed knock-down outer casing or it can be adhesively secured to a blank adapted to form an outer casing. In either case, it is within the scope of the invention to coat selected areas of the underside (as viewed in FIGURE 1) of the lower web 301 with pressure sensitive adhesive so that when forming the cellular structure 311 and folding said web along its central longitudinal axis as described above, the two halves of said lower web will adhere to one another. Each outer longitudinal partition 51 51 thereby forms means for directly connecting the end tabs of each row of transverse partitions with one another. Moreover, in the case where the cellular structure is adhesively secured to the interior surface of the carton, each side member 50, 51 also serves to connect said end tabs to an adjacent side wall of the carton.

It is also within the scope of the invention to provide selected areas of the upper face (as viewed in FIGURE l) of the upper web Stitl with pressure sensitive adhesive so that when the cellular structure 3% is formed by folding the lower web 301 along its central longitudinal axis and it is then desired to unite the assembly with a blank adapted to form an outer casing, said coated selected areas will mate with similar coated areas of said blank. Thus,

in this case, the cellular structure would be in fixed relation to the casing whereas, in the previously described situation, it would be movable with respect to said casing. It will be noted that each of the transverse partions extend at right angles to, and between, an associated central longitudinal partition and an associated outer longitudinal partition. Moreover, each central longitudinal partition directly connects the inner ends of its associated row of transverse partitions together.

The portions of the end tabs 401 folded over the common upper edge 38 serve to reinforce the latter.

Referring to FIGURE 4 of the drawings, is a blank for forming a casing 11 for the carton. This is substantially a standard casing blank. It is incised and creased to form a pair of mutually opposed side walls 12 and 13, a

A pair of mutually opposed end walls 14 and 15, bottom side flaps 17, bottom end flaps 18, top side flaps 20, and top end flaps 21, said top flaps ultimately serving as a top closure. A glue flap 24 is provided along the free edge of side wall 13 to be secured to end wall 14 when the blank is formed into a casing in the usual manner. This blank, however, is formed with a vertical crease 26 extending centrally of an end wall 14 and the flaps 18 and 21 connected thereto, and with another vertical crease 27 in end Wall extending centrally thereof and the flaps 18 and 21 connected thereto. It will be appreciated that, if desired, the top flaps may be omitted so that an opentopped carton is formed.

The cellular structure 30 may also incorporate an extensible handle by means of which the carton and its contents can be carried. In this instance, a second incision 40 is provided which is located in the common upper edge 38 of the pair of central longitudinal partitions and between the marginal end edges thereof, and the main body portion of an extensible handle member 58 is placed between, and slidably guided by the pair of central longitudinal partitions 34 so that its reduced upper portion projects through the second incision 40. It will be appreciated that, in this instance, the pair of central longitudinal partitions 34 are spaced apart throughout their length and are not secured together by adhesive.

The second incision 40, as will be noted from reference to FIGURES 5 and 6, extends through certain of the end tabs 401, whereas the remainder of the latter are folded over the common upper edge to reinforce the latter.

The reduced upper portion of the handle member is of such width that slidably extends through the second incision 4t) and is located above said common upper edge. The main body portion of the handle member 58 is provided with a pair of laterally-projecting shoulders 60 on the side edges thereof that extend longitudinally of partition 37. When the handle is in its lower or first retracted position, as shown in FIGURE 5, these shoulders are located adjacent the bottom of the pair of central longitudinal partitions and are spaced from the common upper edge 38 thereof, but when the handle is in it upper or second operative position in which the reduced portion projects above the casing, as shown in FIGURE 6, the shoulders engage the underside of the folded-over common upper edge 33 of the pair of central longitudinal partitions which thereby prevent the handle member from being withdrawn completely from within the partition.

In the preferred form of the invention, the reduced upper end of the material forming handle member 58 is folded over along line 63 to form a reinforced section 64 of double thickness, a hand hole 65 being formed in this reinforced section, and the material that is cut out to form this hand hole is not completely removed from the reduced portion of the handle member, but is left connected thereto along an upper fold line 66 so that said material 67 hangs down from the upper edge of the hand hole. The lower edge of the reinforced section 64 serves, when contacting the common upper edge 34, as a stop surface for limiting the amount of movement of the handle member 58 to its first retracted position. Thus, the stop surface on the handle member and the common upper edge of the pair of central longitudinal partitions form a first set of cooperating parts on the latter and said handle which limit movement of the handle in its first retracted position. Moreover, the shoulders 61 of the handle and the underside of the common upper edge form a second set of cooperating parts limiting further outward movement of the handle.

FIGURE 7 illustrates a slight variation of the cellular structure 30. In this arrangement, the handle member 58 has, instead of comparatively narrow shoulders 60, wide shoulders 70 projecting laterally from both edges thereof and extending substantially the length of the pair of central longitudinal partitions 34. Shoulders 70 extend to the height of the pair of central longitudinal partitions so that they abut against the common upper edge 38 thereof.

Referring to FIGURES 8 to 13, the cellular structure 30 is located within casing 11 formed from blank 10. The cellular structure is preferably located near the bottom of the casing and, in fact, preferably rests on said bottom, as shown in FIGURES 10 and 11. In the preferred form of the invention, the pair of outer longitudinal partitions 50 and 51 are glued or otherwise connected to the adjacent side walls 12 and 13 of the casing. At this time, the transverse partions 42 and 43 extend across the casing, while the pair of central longitudinal partions 34 extend longitudinally and centrally thereof. By referring to FIGURES l0 and 12, it will be noted that when the casing top flaps 2t) and 21 are folded into the closed position, handle member 58 is located completely within the carton. The top flaps 20 may be of such width that a slot is formed in the top of the closed carton extending longitudinally thereof, or said flaps may be notched to provide such a slot which is just long enough to accommodate the reduced portion of the handle member 58.

When it is desired to carry the carton, handle member 58 is drawn upwardly through slot 75 into a position projecting above the top of the casing, as shown in FIG- URES 10 and 12. At this time, hand hole 65 is clear of the casing top so that the carton may be carried by means of the handle member. The upward movement of the handle member is limited by shoulders 60 engaging the common upper edge 33 of the pair of central longitudinal partitions 34. With this arrangement, the carton may be carried by means of the handle member even when the top of the casing is opened.

The alternative construction of FIGURE 7 is provided in case it is found desirable or necessary not to secure cellular structure 3i) in the casing. In this case, the cellular structure normally rests on the bottom of the casing with handle member 53 below the casing top. When it is desired to carry the carton, the handle member is drawn upwardly as described above. However, in thi case, shoulders 70 are engaging the common upper edge 38 of the pair of central longitudinal partitions so that the latter and transverse partitions, with the pair of outer longitudinal partitions 5i) and 51 attached thereto, move upwardly with the handle member until the common upper edge of the pair of central longitudinal partitions engages the undersurface of the top closure of the casing. 'llhe closed casing may now be carried by means of the handle member. However, once the casing is opened, it can ot be carried by means of the handle member unless the top flaps are closed and held in some way in position. One method of achieving this is to bend outwardly in opp site directions, the material 67 adjacent the hand hole 6d so that it overlies the top closure of the carton and, with the users hand, assists in maintaining said top closure fl ps in operative position.

FIGURE 9 illustrates the manner in which casing 11 with cellular structure 39 therein is collapsed for storage and shipment. End walls 14 and 15 are folded outwardly along crease lines 26 and 27 while side walls 12 and 13 are moved inwardly. The transverse partitions 42 and 4-3 are so hinged that the pair of central longitudinal partitions 34 are shifted longitudinally of the casing. In order to erect or set up the carton, it is only necessary to press the deformed end walls towards each other, at which time the side walls move outwardly, and the pair of central longitudinal partitions and transverse partitions move to their operative positions. In actual practice, the carton is formed with the various elements thereof in their collapsed positions, and it is erected when the carton is formed with the various elements thereof in their collapsed positions, and it is erected when the carton is required.

It will be noted that the depth of each of the outer longitudinal partitions is substantially the same as the depth of each of the central longitudinal partitions. Moreover, the lower edge of each central longitudinal partition is parallel and in contact with the bottom of the carton so as to prevent the lower portion of an article in one compartment of one row from contacting the lower portion of an article in an adjacent compartment of another row thereof. The lower edge of each transverse partition is also parallel and in contact with the bottom of the carton so as to prevent the lower portion of an article in one compartment of a row thereof from contacting the lower portion of an article in an adjacent compartment of the same row. As the depth of each outer longitudinal partition is substantially the same as the central longitudinal partitions, the lower edge of each of said outer longitudinal partitions will also be parallel and in contact with the bottom of the carton so as to prevent contact between the lower portions of articles in the same row of compartments from contacting the adjacent side wall.

I claim:

1. A carton having a casing of mutually opposed side walls and end walls, and a bottom, including a cellular structure arranged to divide the interior of the carton into a plurality of adjacent longitudinal rows of article receiving compartments; said cellular structure comprising, a unitary member formed from a pair of separate and distinct Webs of resilient material, a plurality of separate and distinct parallel strips of resilient material secured to and located between said pair of webs, and an incision in a selected web and in said strips, said incision extending along the central longitudinal axis of said selected web from one end thereof to the other end to divide said selected web into a pair of planar panel members and to divide said strips into two identical sets of strips, the remaining web, upon folding thereof along its central longitudinal axis and upon insertion of said unitary member into said carton, forming a pair of central longitudinal partitions each constituted by a vertical side member, said vertical side members being integrally connected together along a common upper edge and extending along the central longitudinal axis of the carton; said pair of planar panel members, upon said. folding and said insertion of said unitary member, forming a pair of planar side members, each of a depth substantially equal to the depth of said pair of central longitudinal partitions and of uniform thickness throughout their length; each of said side members being in face-to-face contact with an adjacent said side wall throughout its length and serving as an outer longitudinal partition; each said set of strips, upon said folding and said insertion of said unitary member, forming a row of spaced discrete transverse partitions each extending at right angles to, and between, an associated said central longitudinal partition and an as sociated said outer longitudinal partition, each of said transverse partitions having an inner end and an outer end; each of said central longitudinal partitions directly connecting together the said inner ends of said transverse partitions in a said row thereof, and each of said outer longitudinal partitions directly connecting together the said outer ends of said transverse partitions in a said row thereof.

2. A carton having a casing of mutually opposed side walls and end walls, and a bottom, including a cellular structure arranged to divide the interior of the carton into a plurality of adjacent longitudinal rows of article receiving compartments; said cellular structure'comprising, a unitary member formed from a pair of separate and distinct webs of resilient material, a plurality of separate and distinct parallel strips of resilient material, each of said strips having a pair of hingeable end tabs integral therewith and secured to an adjacent said web, said strips and their associated end tabs being located between said webs and extending between the marginal side edges of each of said webs, and an incision in a selected web, in each said end tab secured thereto, and in said strips, said incision extending along the central longitudinal axis of said selected web from one end thereof to the other end to divide said selected web into a ,pair of planar panel members, to divide the end tabs secured to said selected web into identical first and sec end portions, and to divide said strips into two identical sets of strips, the remaining web, upon folding thereof along its central longitudinal axis and upon insertion of said unitary member into said carton, forming a pair of central longitudinal partitions each constituted by a vertical side member, said vertical side members being integrally connected together along a common upper edge and extending along the central longitudinal axis of the carton; said pair of planar members, upon said folding and said insertion of said unitary member, forming a pair of planar side members, each of a depth substantially equal to the depth of said pair of central longitudinal partitions and of uniform thickness throughout their length; each of said side members being in face-to-face contact with an adjacent said side wall throughout its length and serving as an outer longitudinal partition; each said set of strips, upon said folding and said insertion of said unitary member, forming a row of spaced discrete transverse partitions each extending at right angles to, and between, an associated said central longitudinal par- 7 tition and an associated said outer longitudinal partition,

and having a depth substantially equal to the depth of said longitudinal partitions, each of said transverse partit1ons having an inner end and an outer end; each of said central longitudinal partitions directly connecting together the said tabs secured thereto, and hence said inner ends of said transverse partitions in a said row thereof, and each of said outer longitudinal partitions directly connecting together the said tabs secured thereto, and hence said outer ends of said transverse partitions in a said row thereof, said tabs being parallel with said longitudinal partitions.

3. A carton having a casing of mutually opposed side walls and end walls, and a bottom, including a cellular structure arranged to divide the interior of the carton into a plurality of adjacent longitudinal rows of article recelving compartments; said cellular structure comprising, a unitary member formed from a pair of separate and distinct webs of resilient material, a plurality of separate and distinct parallel strips of resilient material, each of said strips having a pair of hingeable end tabs integral therewith and secured to an adjacent said web, said strips and their associated end tabs being located between said webs and extending between the marginal side edges of each of said webs, and an incision in a selected web, in each said end tab secured thereto, and in said strips, said incision extending along the central longitudinal axis of said selected web from one end thereof to the other end to divide said selected web into a pair of planar panel members, to divide the end tabs secured to said selected web into identical first and second portions, and to divide said strips into two identical sets of strips, the remaining web, upon folding thereof along its central longitudinal axis and upon insertion of said unitary member into said carton, forming a pair of central longitudinal partitions each constituted by a vertical side member, said vertical side members being integrally connected together along a common upper edge and extending along the central longitudinal axis of the carton; said end tabs secured to said remaining web, upon said folding and said insertion of said unitary member, being folded over said common upper edge; said pair of planar panel members, upon said folding and said insertion of said unitary member, forming a pair of planar side members, each of a depth substantially equal to the depth of said pair of central longitudinal partitions and of uniform thickness throughout their length; each of said side members being in face-to-face contact with an adjacent said side wall throughout its length and serving as an outer longitudinal partition; each said set of strips, upon said folding and said insertion of said unitary member, forming a row of spaced discrete transverse partitions each extending at right angles to, and between, an associated said central longitudinal partion and an associated said outer longitudinal partition, and having a depth substantially equal to the depth of said longitudinal partitions, each of said transverse partitions having an inner end and an outer end; each of said central longitudinal partitions directly connecting together the said tabs secured thereto, and hence said inner ends of said transverse partitions in a said row thereof, and each of said outer longitudinal partitions directly connecting together the said tabs secured thereto, and hence said outer ends of said transverse partitions in a said row thereof, said tabs being parallel with said longitudinal partitions.

4. A carton having a casing of mutually opposed side walls and end walls, and a bottom, including a cellular structure arranged to divide the interior of the carton into a plurality of adjacent longitudinal rows of article receiving compartments; said cellular structure comprising, a unitary member formed from a pair of separate and distinct webs of resilient material, a plurality of separate and distinct parallel strips of resilient material, each of said strips having a pair of hingeable end tabs integral therewith and secured to an adjacent said web, said strips and their associated end tabs being located between said webs and extending between the marginal side edges of each of said webs, and an incision in a selected web, in each said end tab secured thereto, and in said strips, said incision extending along the central longitudinal axis of said selected web from one end thereof to the other end to divide said selected web into a pair of planar panel members, to divide the end tabs secured to said selected web into identical first and second portions, and to divide said strips into two identical sets of strips, the remaining web, upon folding thereof along its central longitudinal axis and upon insertion of said unitary member into said carton, forming a pair of central longitudinal partitions each constituted by a vertical side member, said vertical side members being integrally connected together along a common upper edge and extending along the central longitudinal axis of the carton, and each having a lower edge parallel and in contact with said bottom so as to prevent the lower portion of an article in one compartment of one row from contacting the lower portion of an article in an adjacent compartment of another row thereof; said end tabs secured to said remaining web, upon said folding and said insertion of said unitary member, being folded over said common upper edge; said pair of planar panel members, upon said folding and said insertion of said unitary member, forming a pair of planar side members, each of a depth substantially equal to the depth of said pair of central longitudinal partitions and of uniform thickness throughout their length; each of said side members being in face-to-face contact with an adjacent said side wall throughout its length and serving as an outer longitudinal partition; each said set of strips, upon said folding and said insertion of said unitary member, forming a row of spaced discrete transverse partitions each having an upper edge and a lower edge, each said edge extending at right angles to, and between, an associated said central longitudinal partition and an associated said outer longitudinal partition, each of said lower edges being parallel and in contact with said bottom so as to prevent the lower portion of an article in one compartment of a row thereof from contacting the lower portion of an article in an adjacent compartment of the same row, each of said transverse partitions having a depth substantially equal to the depth of said longitudinal partitions, each of said transverse partitions having an inner end and an outer end; each of said central longitudinal partitions directly connecting together the said tabs secured thereto, and hence said inner ends of said transverse partitions in a said row thereof, and each of said outer longitudinal partitions directly connecting together the said tabs secured thereto, and hence said outer ends of said transverse partitions in a said row thereof, said tabs being parallel with said longitudinal partitions.

5. A carton according to claim 4 wherein each of said panel members is secured to an adjacent side wall of the carton.

6. A carton according to claim 4 wherein the pair of vertical side members, upon folding of the remaining web, are secured to each other.

7. A carton according to claim 4 wherein each of said planar panel members is secured to an adjacent side wall of the carton and said pair of vertical side members, upon folding of the remaining web, are secured to each other.

8. A carton having a casing of mutually opposed side walls and end walls, and a buttom, including a cellular structure arranged to divide the interior of the carton into a plurality of adjacent longitudinal rows of article receiving compartments; said cellular structure comprising, a unitary member formed from a pair of separate and distinct webs of resilient material, a plurality of separate and distinct parallel strips of resilient material, each of said strips having a pair of hingeable end tabs integral therewith andsecured to an adjacent said web, said strips and their associated end tabs being located between said webs and extending between the marginal side edges of each of said webs, a first incision in a Selected web, in

9 each said end tab secured thereto, and in said strips, said first incision extending along the central longitudinal axis of said selected web f om one end thereof to the other end to divide said selected web into a pair of planar panel members, to divide the end tabs secured to said selected web into identical first and second portions, and to divide said strips into two identical sets of strips; a second incision in said remaining web and in certain of said end tabs secured thereto, said second incision extending along the central longitudinal axis of said remaining web with the ends of said second incision spaced from the marginal end edges of said remaining web, said second incision serving said certain end tabs into identical first and second portions; the remaining web, upon folding thereof along its central longitudinal axis and upon insertion of said unitary member into said carton, forming a pair of central longitudinal partitions each constituted by a vertical side member, said vertical side members being integrally connected together along a common upper edge, containing said second incision, and extending along the central longitudinal axis of the carton, and each having a lower edge parallel and in contact with said bottom so as to prevent the lower portion of an article in one compartment of one row from contacting the lower portion of an article in an adjacent compartment of another row thereof; the unsevered end tabs secured to said remaining web, upon said folding and said insertion of said unitary member, being folded over said common upper edge between the terminal ends of said second incision and the marginal end edges of said remaining web; said pair of planar panel members, upon said folding and said insertion of said unitary member, forming a pair of planar side members, each of a depth substantially equal to the depth of said pair of central longitudinal partitions and of uniform thickness throughout their length; each of said side members being in face-to-face contact with an adjacent said side wall throughout its length and serving as an outer longitudinal partition; each said set of strips, upon said folding and said insertion of said unitary member, forming a row of spaced discrete transverse partitions each having an upper edge and a lower edge, each said edge extending at right angles to, and between, an associated said central longitudinal partition and an associated said outer longitudinal partition, each of said lower edges being parallel and in contact with said bottom so as to prevent the lower portion of an article in one compartment of a row thereof from contacting the lower portion of an article in an adjacent compartment of the same row, each of said transverse partitions having a depth substantially equal to the depth of said longitudinal partitions, each of said transverse partitions having an inner end and an outer end; each of said central longitudinal partitions directly connecting together the said tabs secured thereto, and hence said inner ends of said transverse partitions in a said row thereof, and each of said tabs secured thereto, and hence said outer longitudinal partitions directly connecting together the said outer ends of said transverse partitions in a said row thereof, said tabs being parallel with. said longitudinal partitions.

9. A carton according to claim 8 including a handle member having a main body located between the pair of vertical side members, said handle member having a reduced portion adapted 0t project through the said second incision, a pair of shoulders on said main body adapted to contact the underside of said common upper edge and thereby limit movement of said handle member in one direction when said handle member is moved from a first retracted position to a second operative position, and a stop surface on said reduced portion adapted to contact said common upper edge and thereby limit move ment of the handle from its second operative position to its first retracted position.

10. A carton according to claim 9 including means on the casing adapted to cooperate with said cellular structure to maintain it in position within the casing when said carton is carried by the handle member.

11. A carton according to claim 10 including a top closure therefor through which said reduced portion of said handle member is adapted to project when said can ton is carried by the handle member and said top closure is sealed, the underside of said top closure cooperating with said cellular structure to maintain it in position within said casing.

12. A carton according to claim 9 wherein each of said panel members is secured to an adjacent side wall of the carton.

13. A carton according to claim 12 including a top closure therefor through which said reduced portion of said handle member is adapted to project when said carton is carried by the handle member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

